[naviga:font color="pink"]Rhonda's story[/naviga:font]

Rhonda Lewis took part in her first Girls' Night In event in 2009 – the same year she was diagnosed with breast cancer.She said her initial prognosis was “devastating” – particularly after losing her 32-year-old mother Lynette Trott to the disease when she herself was only 11 years old – but the party helped her to focus on more positive things.Since then Ms Lewis has been declared cancer-free, but she still found a reason to celebrate this month. Last weekend she invited eight of her closest friends over for a pyjama party at her house in aid of cancer charity Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre.“We all came in our PJs and we all chipped in and had a potluck supper and sat around and talked a lot.“We had games like X-Box and board games, but we didn't do as much as we wanted to because we ended up talking so much.”Most of the women she invited played a key role in her recovery and supported her from day one, the 40-year-old said.Her daughter Charmaine, 18, was also an inspiration while going through her treatment. “It was very hard, but I think she handled it very well. As hurt and sad as she was [when I was diagnosed] she stepped up to the plate and helped out her mom.”Despite the emotional and physical stress associated with cancer, Ms Lewis said it was also a blessing in disguise.“It taught me not to stress over the small things and just enjoy life everyday because life is short and we don't know when it's our time.” She encourages all women to have regular mammograms, particularly if they have a family history of breast cancer. “It saved my life. [My cancer cells] were so small I never felt it.”She also urges women to consider starting a girls' night event of their own sometime this month.“It's much better than actually going out and you spend time at home with your dearest friends,” she said.  Not only does the party give women the chance to educate others about cancer, it also allows them to give back to an important cause.“One out of every eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer and in order for them to be able to fund mammograms they have to raise money, so this is a nice way to raise donations for [Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre],” said Ms Lewis.

[naviga:font color="pink"]Audrey and Chrissy's story[/naviga:font]

Close friends Audrey Cranage and Chrissy Wetherhill impulsively decided to host a Girls' Night In six years ago.What started as a 12-woman get-together in aid of charity has blossomed to an event that packs 70 women in Mrs Wetherhill's home.Each year they think of fun games and prizes, offer up dinner and pink cocktails and encourage people to donate as much as possible.But underneath all the fun and games, there is a stronger message – most people who attend know someone affected by the disease.Mrs Wetherhill's own mom died from cancer; and from time to time, women at the event approach her to share their emotive stories.“There was a girl there last year, she was like 30 years old, and she won quite a few of the prizes.“Before the night ended she told me she was 24 days being cancer-free and I thought ‘this is what this is all about',” Mrs Wetherhill said.Since starting the party in 2005, they have raised a total of $24,000 for Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre. Last year alone they raised $8,000 for the charity.They are hoping to raise even more money at next week's event, simply because of the amount of women attending.“We understand with these economic times it's hard for people to give donations, but everyone is so generous as far as gifts,“ said Ms Cranage.Stores within the Washington Mall have been instrumental in making the event a success by donating prizes and supplies. Some of the women's husbands are also expected to get involved by serving drinks.This year there will be a fashion show with clothes from 27th Century Boutique. Throughout this month the store will give a percentage of every purchase to Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre.They plan to also decorate head pieces known as ‘fascinators' [in honour of the Royal Wedding earlier this year], play ping pong, ‘count the pink jelly beans' and a game called ‘minute to win it'.The will also have pink champagne, pink cupcakes and pink cosmopolitans on hand for guests.Ms Cranage encouraged women to host their own night-in and said: “Just have fun. The more that's going on the better. Get together for tea, just get your friends together and have fun.”She added: “We think of nothing of going out and spending money in the restaurants and bars so why not do it for charity?”Both women said they feel great after the event is over, particularly when they hand over the cheque to staff at Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre.“It's a wonderful feeling that you are actually giving something back and this money goes towards the patients that can't afford mammography in Bermuda,” said Ms Cranage.